Dear SDCCE Community,
With the official start of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month last week, I look forward to celebrating the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions that continue to shape our communities. This month also reminds us of the importance of creating a college community where every student feels welcomed, valued, and connected. As we celebrate the diversity of our students and the experiences they bring to SDCCE, I am grateful for the many ways our college community comes together to support one another and create opportunities for every student to thrive.
Enrollment Updates:
Fall Update
SDCCE's overall enrollment for fall stands at 23,097 (a 2% increase from last week), with a fill rate of 69%, which is equal to last fall (69%). SDCCE's overall headcount is currently 12,346, a 1% increase from last week (12,187). FTEF scheduled for the fall semester is 9% greater than last fall (196.40 to 214.81). View report.
Connect with the President:
I'm excited to continue offering the opportunity to Walk with the President! If you'd rather take a stroll around the Educational Cultural Complex instead of a Zoom meeting, join me for a refreshing walk as we continue to prioritize wellness. Don't forget to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Individual walks or zoom meetings will be 20 minutes and are available on a first come first-served basis. If you would like to schedule an appointment with me, please email [email protected] for detailed information.
Lastly, you can utilize the anonymous sharing box. Your voice matters, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
Know Your Rights & Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Join the next Know Your Rights & Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Undocumented
Families
Taller de Preparación de Emergencias y Derechos de Inmigrantes
Konnen Dwa ou yo ak Atelye Preparasyon pou Ijans pou Fanmi san Papye Aprann
Join us on Zoom / Acompáñenos en Zoom / Join nou sou Zoom: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/84797687743
Learn about immigrant rights and family safety planning. Facilitated by SDCCD's Equity & Special Funded Programs and presented by Higher Education Legal Services. This educational workshop is open to all allies. The presentation will be spoken in English with live translation services in Arabic, Dari, Haitian Creole, Somali, and Spanish. FLEX Available!
Our fall 2026 workshops will be held on September 22, 2026, October 21, 2026, November 18, 2026, and December 16, 2026. Each workshop starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m.
For accessibility accommodations, contact Dean Lillian Garcia at [email protected].
In addition our Immigrant Student Success Program (ISSP) is here to listen to student
concerns, assess their needs, and help connect them with appropriate campus and community
resources. ISSP can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone at 619-388-1933.
ISSP Center Hours are Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m.
CCCApply becomes CCCStart
Friendly reminder, on September 23, CCCApply becomes CCCStart - a new streamlined experience for students looking to attend San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar or Continuing Education Colleges. Please note new student applications are paused until September 22 while we make this transition in alignment with the California Community Colleges.
In preparation for the upcoming application and required ID verification changes, Admissions and Records will be providing the following via zoom:
CCCStart Information Session
Implementation of Required ID Verification Training
We encourage all who support students with completing an admissions application join one of each session. Thank you to our Student Services teams and Admissions and Records for helping us prepare for these changes. For questions please contact our A&R Director, Libbier Bakit, [email protected]
Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit
I look forward to attending and presenting at the Vision 2030 Noncredit Summit, bringing SDCCE's perspective to conversations shaping the future of noncredit education across California.
The summit will bring together noncredit leaders from across the state for inspiring sessions, innovative ideas, and practical strategies focused on strengthening student success, workforce pathways, and the future of noncredit education.
We look forward to learning, sharing, and continuing to move forward together in support of California's noncredit students. Registration for the summit in Newport Beach is now open at noncreditsummit.org.
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Celebration
Please join us for our first cultural event of the academic year on September 24 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Harbor View Campus. This special celebration will be an opportunity to come together as a community, learn from one another, and enjoy the many vibrant traditions that make Hispanic and Latinx cultures so unique.
The event will feature an engaging presentation by Monica Delgadillo Hernandez, exciting performances by Somos La Voz, poetry by Julie Corrales, and delicious food by SALUD! Whether you're looking to learn something new, celebrate your heritage, or simply connect with friends and colleagues, we hope you'll join us. Everyone is welcome!
Check-in will be required for the event. We hope to see you there!
For accommodations, please contact [email protected]
Campus Built Together: Harbor View Renaming
The Harbor View Campus renaming process is officially underway, and we're grateful to everyone who is taking the time to participate and share their perspective. The renaming survey has officially launched, and students and employees have received an email with the link to provide their feedback and recommendations.
Participation is open to the entire community. If you have not yet had an opportunity to complete the survey, you can visit the Harbor View landing page to access the survey and share your input. Every perspective is valuable, and your participation will help shape this important process.
As we continue this work, I encourage our community to remain engaged and take advantage of the multiple opportunities to participate. In addition to the survey, we invite everyone to attend the next Restorative Renaming Circles happening in-person. RSVP is required so we may plan accordingly with our facilitators.
- Tuesday, September 22nd | 9:00 - 11:00 am | Harbor View Multipurpose Room 101
- Tuesday, September 22nd | 12:30 - 2:30 pm | Harbor View Multipurpose Room 101
- Tuesday, September 29th | 12:30 - 2:30 pm | Mid-City Campus, Room 203
- Tuesday, September 29th | 3:30 - 5:30 pm | Mid-City Campus, Room 203
These gatherings will provide an opportunity for deeper reflection, dialogue, listening, and connection as we collectively consider the history and future of Harbor View.
Renaming a campus is a significant undertaking, and this process is an opportunity to come together as a community and thoughtfully consider the name that will represent our shared values and vision moving forward. Your voice matters, and I encourage everyone to participate in whichever way feels most meaningful to you.
Thank you for your continued engagement, thoughtful participation, and commitment to helping build our campus together.
ECC Construction: Progress in Motion
SDCCE's Communications & Creative Services Team recently visited ECC's construction site to document the progress of the college's upcoming new office spaces and the ECC Theatre to share with our campus community to keep our community informed as these projects progress.
Dolly Parton Day - September 25th
On September 25th (9-25), join us in celebration of the life and legacy of music pioneer and humanitarian Dolly Parton across all campuses of the College of Continuing Education.
How can you participate?
- Join our English Language & Child Development classes in celebrating Dolly's commitment to early childhood literacy through Dolly's Imagination Library
- Practice kindness in your interactions across campus and with your classmates and community
- Give your time to support community service causes in your neighborhood and around each of our campuses
- Honor the different ways that each one of us contribute to making the world a better place through art, culture, learning, science, and advocacy
- Share your thoughts and celebrations on social media and tag @sdcceedu with the hashtag #SDCCELovesDolly
Let's Talk About College
Please encourage students to join Let's Talk About College, a welcoming drop-in space to ask questions about college and explore their next steps. Students can connect with the SD Advance Counselor and receive personalized guidance on topics such as admissions, financial aid, residency requirements, San Diego Promise, Credit by Exam, educational planning, and more.
- When: Every Thursday
- Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Location: Zoom Drop-In Session
- Who Should Attend: SDCCE students interested in attending City, Mesa, or Miramar College.
ECC Theatre Renovation
The ECC Theatre Renovation continues to make progress!
- The construction site is active Monday - Friday, 7am - 3:30pm.
- Check out the demolition of the second level deck on the live stream link: ECC Theatre Renovation.
- The District Construction Inspector, College Technology Director, ECC Theatre Director and Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with HGA and PCL at the HGA construction trailer to discuss the ECC Theatre Renovation Project. They shared progress photos and discussed construction updates and project progress.
- Visit the project webpage to learn more and stay up to date with the progress via livestream.
Thank you to our Theatre Director, Silvia Nogales, for playing a pivotal role in the theatre renovation and for keeping us informed on its progress. You can now follow the theatre on Facebook and Instagram @Educational Cultural Complex Theatre & Community Room.
Bond Projects Update
The current Measure HH Bond projects for our college continue to make progress. We have also developed a current projects page with updates on each project and the SDCCD Measure HH webpage has further updates.
- The Assistant District Architect, District team, Facilities team, Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with Randall Lamb and LEO A DALY for a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing discussion. They discussed the layout of the welding building and shared design visualization videos. They also discussed the welding booths, electrical systems, equipment, and safety measures. Additionally, they discussed ventilation, fume extractors, cooling, and sound mitigation. Lastly, they discussed the need for water bottle fillers and handwashing stations.
- The Vice President of Administrative Services, College Facilities & Operations Director, Public Information Officer; Theatre Technician; Assistant District Architect; Measure HH Liaison (Regions 1 & 3) met with the Cumming Group and Graphic Solutions to discuss the SDCCE Monument Signs project. They discussed project scopes, timelines, and shared mockup ideas. They also discussed campus promotional needs. Lastly, they discussed equipment configurations, software needs for broadcasting, and management system configurations.
Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging (SIB) Task Force Updates:
We have a dedicated webpage with Know Your Rights Information, District protocols, resources, and more curated by our Safety, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force.
Please take a moment to review the safety cards for navigating ICE incidents on campus. These resources are designed to guide employees on the steps for reporting.
Classified Professional Spotlight
This week's Classified Professional is Accounting Technician, Danielle Williams. Danielle began her career with the college in 2013, after previously working with the District Office and Mesa College.
A science, mathematics, and data enthusiast, Danielle was excited to bring her analytical skills to her role as an Accounting Technician, where she works with financial accounts while also supporting students by helping procure instructional equipment and supplies. Her connection to SDCCE runs even deeper; her mother taught food and nutrition courses at ECC's new kitchen in the late 1970s, making Danielle's opportunity to support West City's hospitality programs especially meaningful.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys vegetable gardening and caring for her flock of heritage-breed chickens. She also puts her passion for data and problem-solving to work through personal projects, using Python to turn everyday challenges into opportunities to create solutions.
Faculty Spotlight
This week's Faculty Spotlight shines on Allied Health Instructor, John Alba. Since joining SDCCE in Fall 2023, John has supported students at the Harbor View Campus as an instructor for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aide (HHA), and Medical Terminology courses.
Passionate about helping students create new opportunities through education, John is committed to preparing students with the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed to enter the healthcare workforce. Through hands-on simulations, case studies, and individualized mentoring, he helps students build a strong foundation for compassionate, patient-centered care.
Beyond the classroom, John is helping develop SDCCE's new Vocational Nursing Program, scheduled to launch in Fall 2027. His work in curriculum development and instructional design will help expand healthcare career pathways and workforce opportunities for future nursing students.
John also brings his commitment to mentorship into the community, volunteering as a freshman football coach at Eastlake High School. We're proud to spotlight John and his continued dedication to helping students reach their goals and prepare for careers serving others.
Announcements:
- Do you know an employee making a difference at SDCCE? Help us recognize those outstanding contributions by submitting an Employee Spotlight ! Selected spotlights will be featured in future editions of the weekly President's Message and other college communications as we celebrate the people who make SDCCE an exceptional place to learn and work.
- Visit the Administrative Services Intranet to access campus safety resources and stay informed with the latest updates.
- Visit the Student Resource Newsletter for information about resources and support available to help students navigate college, connect with services, and stay informed.
- Visit the Fall 2026 Student Services Connection for updates on the CCCStart transition, 2026–2027 division priorities, efforts to strengthen the student experience, upcoming events and important dates, and colleagues stepping into new roles.
- A reminder that all requests of the Communications Department must be approved by a dean or vice president and requires submission of a request form. You can find the Project Request Form link on the Faculty and Staff Resources Page of our website. Allow ten working days for a request to be completed. If a request needs immediate attention, please complete the form and contact the Public Information Officer.
President's Updates:
- I recently had the privilege of participating in the Aspen Presidents Fellowship at Aspen Meadows Resort. Throughout the fellowship, I have had the opportunity to connect with an inspiring cohort of leaders, engage in thoughtful discussions about the future of higher education, and explore new approaches to leadership, institutional innovation, and student success. The experience provided a valuable space to step back from the day-to-day demands of leadership, reflect on the work we do, and consider how we can continue creating meaningful opportunities for our students and communities.
- I enjoyed lunch with Career Counselor Tina Gov, taking time to connect, exchange ideas, and learn more about her experiences and work in support of SDCCE students.
The Research Corner:
This week, we invite you to read a study "Why Did They Leave? Learning From the Experiences of Former Community College Students" which documents the students' initial educational goals and expectations and their self-reported reasons for leaving college. It then explores how these reasons relate to students' experiences in college. The report also considers how colleges can work to prevent student departure. The findings suggest that students rarely leave college for a single reason; rather, departure decisions are shaped by a combination of factors, some of which could be addressed by colleges. The study may be found on the following link. Please take a minute to review this resource and email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Best,
